Mid-Summer Travers Stakes Dream Becomes Reality For Robin Buchanan

Mid-Summer Travers Stakes Dream Becomes Reality For Robin Buchanan: It is finally that time, I have waited what seems like an eternity but tomorrow is here after a long wait and it’s time to leave for Saratoga. By the time you read this I may be in Saratoga already. I get to see my very first Travers Stakes and this will be my first trip to New York. It seems the wait has been much longer since I booked the trip in March, really I have been waiting my whole life it seems to go to Saratoga. The days of summer are nearing the end and temperatures are starting to cool off just as Saratoga is heating up. The Saratoga meet is nearing the end with less than 2 weeks left. I can’t imagine what it will be like to see Saratoga for the first time.

It may be like seeing the pearly gates or seeing your first born for the first time. I am picturing it like that. I actually may just self combust right there and burst into a ball of flames. It is really how I am imagining it. It will be amazing to see and pretty sure it will beat any paradise or tranquil setting you could dream of. I absolutely can not wait for Saturday. Im wondering what colors the Travers canoe will be graced with this year and which champion will wear the blanket of red and white carnations.

I have heard so much about Saratoga, I feel like I’ve almost been there before. I can picture the red and white canopies and picnic tables filled with happy faces. The trees overhead shading everyone as people have a great time. I can hear the excitement coming from the crowd as they cheer for their favorite horse or longshot to come in. I can picture and smell the horses walking past me to the paddock. I can hear people yelling for their favorite jockeys, “words of encouragement hopefully”. I can picture children being there with their families and seeing their faces light up as they see the horses. I can see the lost wager tickets on the ground. I’m really excited to finally meet many people I consider my friends that I am familiar with on Twitter. No matter how crazy that sounds and I absolutely can not wait to see the paddock and watch a race from the rail. I’ll be surrounded by food, friends, coolers and oversized hats.

The card on Saturday is stacked with a full day of stakes races, 7 to be exact. If that doesn’t get your heart racing, nothing will. I am looking forward to the Ballston Spa on Saturday the most, and the return of the undefeated Lady Eli. She has beat and survived the dreaded laminitis after being sidelined for 13 months. Her trainer Chad Brown did an excellent job caring for her. She’s been training well and her progress has really been phenomenal. She will have to work hard for this win as she faces Miss Temple City and Sweet Acclaim. I am fortunate and beyond excited i get to see her return. I seemed to have timed my trip perfectly. If she wins. it will make this trip.

The Travers Stakes is sold out as the NYRA capped the attendance at 50,000. The field is set and the race will be run with 14 entries. I’m not sure when the last time that happened but I am positive it’s been a while. Which 3-year-old will hit the wire first? That is always the toughest question to answer. Saratoga of course is known as “the graveyard of favorites”, so it’s always a good idea to find a promising longshot. People will spend hours and hours, days even, to break down the past performances and watch replays to hopefully find that horse. Some people will pick just a horse for his name or because of how they look and may have better luck than the handicappers. That is horse racing for you but it is so fun to try to break down the stats and hopefully pick the winner. It’s a tough field and is full of star power. Why we live for these big days.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow and this weekend. Can’t wait to experience the atmosphere, people, great food, and of course the beautiful and majestic thoroughbreds. Hoping to meet a few new friends too. Really looking forward to seeing you Saratoga.

Follow Robin Buchanan’s Saratoga adventures on twitter @Rblifeisgood and @LadyAndTheTrack.

Travers Stakes 2016 Post Positions & Odds
1 Arrogate 10-1
2 American Freedom 6-1
3 My Man Sam 20-1
4 Governor Malibu 12-1
5 Forever d’Oro 30-1
7 Exaggerator 3-1
8 Destin 10-1
9 Gift Box 12-1
10 Connect 4-1
11 Majesto
12 Creator 15-1
13 Laoban 15-1
14 Gun Runner 10-1